Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-04-07

Deduct bonds OF 1871 IN 49,. 90 -
sinking fund.-. i .S'5,ouV w
Deduct bonds of 1873 In =
sinking fund. .l4o,VuV VU-2io,oVO W
sI,066, 200 90
Deduct per cent. bnus
in school, seminaryand
agricultural colB sc
funds. -. $l2S,4 w
Deduct per cent. pnds
in school, emlnar1 ana
agricultur a c llege
FUNDS. So. 47' 'AVo Vo-o@o'ooo w
Leaving outstanding In hands of
individuals. ............., s450,T0O %
Showing a decreasGDf amount out
standing in handsof individuals
during the past ito years Sl26,sOO 90
Did the State pesess, as l think every
State should always reserve, the option
of calling In her outstanding bonds, they
could in a short Tine be absorbed in, and
furnish the very best investment for our
different educational funds.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
l commend to you, with no little pride
and pleasure IN me advancement it ex-
hibits, the repOE of the Stats Superin-
tendent of Public instruction; from it
one can see that In the matter of public
schools Florida is fast taking rank with
some OF the foremost States.
The following shows the increase in
number of schools and of school attend
ance in the last two ears:
Number OF schools September 80. 1894. 1904
Number of schools September 80, 1885 1,T24
Number of schools September 30. 1886. 1919
An increase in schools for 1886 over 1885 of
l95 and over 1884 of AIS schools.
The school attendance for 1894 was. 5S.3l1
The school ate dance for 1885 was -. 62,327
The school attendance for 1885 was .. 20, a97
An increase in 1856 over 1884 of 4,0l6 pupils.
and an increase in 1856 over 1885 of $50, or
an increase for two years Of IL, 0S6 in total at
tendance.
THE STATES SWAMP LANDS.
Unfortunately, on Nov. %, 1885, all pro-
ceedings by the General Land Depart
ment at Washington to segregate the
States lands from the lands of the United
States were suspended, and since that
time no patents or indemnity certificates
have been issued to the State except,
within few days, one patent of eighty
acres.
The wIsest use that State can make
OF public lands Is such use as Will most
surely and quickly subject them to hon.
est settlement for actual cultivation and
substantial Improvement, and | earnestly
favor such use and disposition OF our
public lands so far as compatible with
gooth faith in the satisfaction of grants
lawfully made and honestly earned, and
the faithful execution of the trusts
created. But care should be taken that
mere spectators be not allowed to take
advantage OF the benefits and facilities
intended only for bona fide settlers, and
10 this end the statute (chapter 345) hav-
ing In view the sale! of lands at reduced
price to a settler should be so amended
TO give the State better guaranty OF
settlement and cultivation than the pur-
chasers statement of Intention.
RAILROADs
Without doubt the greatest factors In
FlOrlda's progress are her railroads. 1t
may be well said that railroads are fast
becoming essential to commercial, agri-
cultural, manufacturing, and every other
industrial prosperity-indeed that they
are indispensable to the very existence OF
sne civilization of the age. Any effort to
uestroy, cripple or Cypress these great
interests, whether influenced by preju-
9,ce or induced by popular clamor, would
ueIoken Willingness to turn back the
wheeis OF progress, to sacrifice the best
interests OF the State and people, and TO
rample upon every principle of right and
ignore every dictate of justice.
IL Is the duty OF the State, and of every
department of which It's government is
composed, to defend and protect every
.isnt, Wnether 1t be the right OF the most
powerful corporation or OF the humblest
siueratlon should be had for the one than
.ne Other; but on the other hand, while
sue corporation may justly demand the
projection OF every legal right by the
,otaIe, the State may as justly demand
S Sno ialthlul discharge OF every legal
inability and duty by the corporation.
icy there be thorough mutually. Pro-
eeot the corporation in every right aud
ana =. from 10 every legal duty TO the State
ana the people.
IN my opinion the int erests OF the rail-
.oaus and OF the people, which are to a
h'eater extent than is generally mag
n "vu identical, will be best subserved by
s sn,pp legislation upon the subject before
rS"Sohlsms become so bitter that vitu-
s snI and abuse supplant argument
Az, Iu ueioeratiOn, and passion and preju-
80 Sa.e warp Judgment, blind reason, and
uetnrone justice.
bih, mink there should be enactments pro-
ioLng unreasonable charges and I'M
Iust determinations between individuals.
ISo u oetWeen localities, and that, beside
I'm remedies therefor, unreasonable
ro,a.ses and unjust discrimination by any
Rgat. 'oh carrier should be made otienses
si s,a and be made punishable by the
do,,s perlence in most OF the States has
ten lon, w. that the commissioner sys-
the ao.t SAFE one for all interests, when
rr,t p,hmlesioners are able and incOr-
ndprua%9Ie, conservative and just men,
bv r,ssI given ample powers aud bound
''eS having no little fiexibiity.
~ OUR VOLUNTEER MILITIA.
o. v ueIe are already formed organizations
MY, volunteer militia of which any State
ue well be proud. Not only should
sim P9unesseent Organizations be assisted In
zen sei,ntihler perfecting themselves az olti-
be ennars, out our young men should
eomnan3uIased 10 organize additional
BY p"pI,es as fast as the appropriation
snd . u9lted States will FURNISH arm
a.. ftNlnmNnIU -. ~